Day: December 21, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Emergency Shelters From Materials On-Hand, by SnoMan

The key to building an emergency shelter is knowing how to improvise. Whatever the situation, whatever materials you have, if you need shelter from the elements, you’ll have to make do. Be efficient; every calorie spent is a calorie you’ll have to replace, so build your shelter using the least time and energy you can. For the purposes of this series of articles, we’re assuming you’ll be on the move, and that your shelters are truly just for temporary, perhaps even one-night use. If you’re going to be in place for awhile, then the rules about minimalist construction are off, …


Two Letters Re: How I Survived an Attempted Murder

James Wesley: Regarding the recent article “How I Survived an Attempted Murder, by A. in Ecuador”, I’m praying that A. has seen a ophthalmologist (not optometrist) about that flash in his eye.  Retinas can deteriorate quickly – if they can be fixed it is quite an intensive surgery and recovery – speaking from experience.  Consider the prospect of being blind in one eye for the rest of your life, not just while climbing a cliff to safety. It is wise to pay for the doctor visit! – F.W.   JWR: In A’s article he says he suffers from a flashing in his …


Letter Re: Advice on Sleeping Bags

JWR: Okay, I hesitated to write, but here it is. I want the gal with the questions to get some good solid advice. First, I do not always agree with James Wesley Rawles, I read his site every day, I agree with lots, but not all of what he says. As for the sleeping bags, I do agree. I’m a 5’2” female at 140 pounds. I’ve lived in Alaska for as long as my memory goes back. I camp, hunt, trap, all winter long. I’ve tried a lot of things, two sleeping bags, liners, bivvy sacks. I’ve slept out in …


Economics and Investing:

AmEx (American Expat) sent us this: The Silver Rush at MF Global G.G. sent this: Missing $4,155? It Went Into Your Gas Tank This Year   Items from The Economatrix: Global Economic Crisis:  The US an Insolvent and Ungovernable Country IMF Warns that World Risks Sliding Into a “1930’s-Style Slump” Celente’s Trends Prove Accurate; What Will 2012 Bring? Price of Oil to Remain High as OPEC Limits World Production at Oil Price


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Dale C. mentioned that he was poking around on the net and found a great resource for many different topics. For example, he found a very informative piece about harvesting trees for firewood. (See G1554 in the forestry section.)    o o o Evacuation plan for Brits in Spain amid warning euro collapse could leave them stranded. (A link suggested by my darling wife, Avalanche Lily.)    o o o Connie W. mentioned that there are thousands of new job opportunities in The American Redoubt, as oilfield service contractors like Schlumberger and Halliburton are ramping up their operations in …